hafely



(.No Model.)

A. U. HAFELY.

ALBUM GLASP. No. 253,281. Patented Feb 7.188%,

UNTTED STATES -ALFRED o. HAFELY,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ALBUM-CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 253,281, dated February 7, 1882. Application filed December 27, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED O. HAFELY, of the city and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Album-Clasps, of which 'the following is a specification.

Album-clasps have been made with two springs that act upon the side portions of the sliding frame.

My present invention provides for the introduction of a helical spring into a tube having an inwardly-flanged end to form a bearing for the spring, and a sliding external tube with a finger or pin acting upon the other end ofthe spring. I also provide linger-pieces within the clasp, which allow for the opening of the clasp or the extension of such clasp in closing the same at the edge of the book, so that the fingers will not come into contact with the stud or catch upon the book-cover, and there will be ample room for the insertion of the fingers in operating the clasp.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the clasp, partially in section. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same, showing part of the album or book; and Fig. 3 is amodification, in which some of the parts are transposed in position.

The clips a and 1) upon the edges of the book-covers are oi" anydesired kind. The clip a is provided with a stud, 0, or other device, such as alip, over which the clasp hooks, and the clip I) and clasp or hasp are hinged together at d.

The moving frame or extensible portion of the clasp is made of two side pieces, 0, and cross piece or bow f, and the side pieces, 6, slide in tubular guides h. The portionfof the extensible clasp hooks over the stud or lip 0 when the book is closed.

I make use of a single helical spring, i, aeting to close or contract the clasp, said spring i being within the tube 1, and said tube is contracted at its outer end to form a flange or seat for one end of the helical spring. This helical spring, being in the middle part of the clasp, acts directly in line with the stud or lips c.

.In Fig. 1 the external tube, 0, around the tube 1 is represented as having a finger, 1", passingthrough a slot in l, to act against the spring and compress the same as the clasp is distended. This tube 0 is fastened at the outer end to the finger-bar s, and the base of the tube lis screwed or soldered to the base (1, which is also united to the tubes h and forms part of the hinge d; but in Fig. 3 the positions of these parts are transposed, the tubes h being formed with the bowfand the side pieces, 6, being fastened to d.

The tube l might be fastened tofinstead of to d, and the tube 0 fastened to d, the operations in all cases being the same.

The finger-bars s are introduced near the middle of the clasp. Their ends are fastened to or made with the movable or extensible portion of the clasp, so that the fingers can be applied to said bars'to extend the clasp, either in opening or closing the album or book.

A cross bar or pin passing below the end of the spring inlay be used in place of the finger. In this instance the tube 6 will be slotted at both sides for the passage of the cross-piece.

Two studs, 0, might be used; but only one .will generally be reqnireth I claim as my invention- 1. In a book-clasp, the combination, with the extensible clasp, oftheiinger-pieces 8 near the middle of the clasp, substantially as set forth.

2. In an extensible book-clasp, the tubes h, side pieces, 6, bow f, and tube l, in combination with the spring 2', tube 0, hinge d, and clips at I), substantially as set forth.

Signed by me this 23d day of December, A. D. 1881;

ALFRE D O. HAFELY.

HAROLD SERRELL. 

